The Chinese zodiac

The Chinese calendar covers twelve years and each year is named after one of these animals: rat, ox (cow), tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig (boar).

People who believe in horoscopes believe that if you are born in a certain year then you will be a bit like the animal that is the symbol of that year.

Here is a chart to help you find your own Chinese zodiac sign.

Rat	Feb 19 1996–Feb 06 1997
Ox	Feb 07 1997–Jan 27 1998
Tiger	Jan 28 1998–Feb 15 1999
Rabbit	Feb 16 1999–Feb 04 2000
Dragon	Feb 05 2000–Jan 23 2001
Snake	Jan 24 2001–Feb 11 2002
Horse	Feb 12 2002–Jan 31 2003
Sheep	Feb 01 2003–Jan 21 2004
Monkey	Jan 22 2004–Feb 08 2005
Rooster	Feb 09 2005–Jan 28 2006
Dog	Jan 29 2006–Feb 17 2007
Pig	Feb 18 2007–Feb 06 2008

These are the characteristics that are associated with each of the Chinese zodiac signs.

Rat	Versatile, intuitive, restless.
Ox (cow)	Patient, calm, trustworthy.
Tiger	Singular, energetic, ferocious.
Rabbit	Sensitive, affectionate, insecure.
Dragon	Detached, dynamic, independent.
Snake	Changeable, quick, feared.
Horse	Eager, strong, frolicsome.
Sheep	Placid, gregarious, adaptable.
Monkey	Intelligent, petulant, highly strung.
Rooster	Vain, outspoken, progressive.
Dog	Faithful, happy, unselfish.
Pig (boar)	Wasteful, self-sufficient, self-indulgent.